Board introduces a new hire and discusses HR director vacancy and hiring team

The County Board of Supervisors introduced a newly hired employee, identified in the meeting as Nicole, who recently started and previously worked in Council Bluffs; board members welcomed her to county service.

Separately, members discussed the county’s vacant human-resources director position after the incumbent’s last day on Aug. 1. Board members said the position is posted and that a proposed interview/review team had been suggested by staff; some board members said they had not received notice of the proposed panel. Staff said the outgoing director circulated an email (dated July 30) stating she had given her credit card to the CFO and that she intended to retain laptop, badge and office key “until we have a new director hired and training has been provided.” A county staff member said that retention did not match the separation agreement language and raised that point with the board.

Board members noted the need to form the hiring/review team and to move quickly to fill the HR director role. One member said the position should be filled promptly and asked staff for the plan; staff reported confirmations from three or four board members about the suggested review team and the position’s posting. Another member said the hiring team should be formally placed on an agenda for consideration.

The board did not take a formal vote on the HR director appointment during this meeting; members asked staff to proceed with the posted process and to ensure committee/hiring-team notifications are clear.